Ok, I'm a sucker for some vintage Blackhawk goodness and when I saw pics of this box posted earlier by a GJ member, I was intrigued because I have never seen one quite like it. I did know at one time it contained 7/16" drive tools known as "Nuggets". The decal on the inner lid told me this. However, I couldn't find any other information about it. No model number, no time line of manufacture, no pics or any other info on the net, nada.
After a bit of wrangling, I've now become the new care taker of this little "mystery" box.
The original pics :
With the intent of preserving and keeping the original finish intact, my son and I slowly and carefully cleaned the box and then installed some cork liners. As we were cleaning it, we did find the letters MBC stamped on the back panel. I still do not know what these letters mean. Anybody know?
After cleaning:
The handle is mostly covered in surface rust, but if you look closely you can still see some of the original gold paint. I'm sure this box was quite the looker when it was new with its bright red paint and gold painted hardware.
Nice original key.
Very careful cleaning of the inner lid revealed the set number as 77L, which had no meaning to me until I found this:
Mystery solved!!! From this 1941 Blackhawk "Handy Guide" catalog, I now know that this was basically a "Nugget" starter set and what pieces it contained.
As a nice bonus, I was also able to purchase this 7/16" drive "Gripline" brace handle that was in the box originally when the previous owner picked it up. It appears to be period correct and is actually a part of the 77L set.
Now if I can just find the rest of the Nuggets.....
To see this box now filled with Nuggets and more....
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146221&highlight=nuggets
After a bit of wrangling, I've now become the new care taker of this little "mystery" box.
The original pics :
With the intent of preserving and keeping the original finish intact, my son and I slowly and carefully cleaned the box and then installed some cork liners. As we were cleaning it, we did find the letters MBC stamped on the back panel. I still do not know what these letters mean. Anybody know?
After cleaning:
The handle is mostly covered in surface rust, but if you look closely you can still see some of the original gold paint. I'm sure this box was quite the looker when it was new with its bright red paint and gold painted hardware.
Nice original key.
Very careful cleaning of the inner lid revealed the set number as 77L, which had no meaning to me until I found this:
Mystery solved!!! From this 1941 Blackhawk "Handy Guide" catalog, I now know that this was basically a "Nugget" starter set and what pieces it contained.
As a nice bonus, I was also able to purchase this 7/16" drive "Gripline" brace handle that was in the box originally when the previous owner picked it up. It appears to be period correct and is actually a part of the 77L set.
Now if I can just find the rest of the Nuggets.....
To see this box now filled with Nuggets and more....
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146221&highlight=nuggets
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I assume the same tech would be used. CRTDI terrific job on the box rehab of course after seeing the Blackhawk jack rebuild we need a picture with the box on the jack!
